Teachers, We Salute You!

Teachers Play a Tough Balancing Act

           In a classroom full of students with different learning abilities, the teacher faces a formidable challenge -- how to teach each child to his or her maximum potential. While some children in the class may find the lesson too mundane or boring, if it is "dumbed down," other children may find it difficult to cope with difficult concepts. So how does a teacher teach at an optimum level, such that both sets of extreme learning abilities are nurtured?

 Who Is a Good Teacher?

           A good teacher plays the role of an educator, guide, inspirational guru, and a friend. While gently nudging the 'slow learners' to climb the steep learning curve, she engages with the 'bright minds' to delve deeper into concepts and thereby meet their need to be ahead of others.

        Teachers tap the fertile mind of young children and plant the seed of curiosity in them. This inculcates the values of self-learning, exploration, and philosophical inquiry. I have seen many young children who took the spark of imagination to unimaginable heights. I have known little origami enthusiasts to grow up to become engineers of cutting edge technology. I have met kids suffering from dyslexia who grew up and became famous surgeons. Who, other than a great teacher, could have been instrumental in this phenomenal rise?

You Owe Your Success to Your Teachers

         All that I have achieved in my life is because of my teachers. Some of them were formally designated as my teachers -- in school, college, and university. Others, such as my parents, were my teachers nonetheless.  

History Of Teachers Day in India

        Since 1962, India has been celebrating Teachers' Day on 5th September as a symbol of tribute and honor to the contribution made by teachers to the society. Respected among society, teachers have played an important role in the overall development of a person. They are capable to influence and mold a student's life positively. Every student celebrates this day to encourage and support the contribution of his or her teacher. Children are the country's future, hence they need to be positively nurtured and that is done best by teachers as children get inspired by their teachers. Teachers enlighten students and shape their career.

        The day marks as a day of gratitude and respect to the selfless efforts of teachers. This day is also celebrated to honor Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, the great teacher, academic philosopher and India's Second President as he was born on the same day in 1888. Dr. Radhakrishnan was a strong supporter of education. Instead of celebrating his birthday separately he requested to observe the day as Teachers' Day to give honor to all the teachers in India. This appeal demonstrated his love for the teaching profession and since then 5th September is celebrated as Teachers' Day in India.

Celebration

            On the occasion of Teacher's day, various cultural programs and activities take place in schools. Senior students dress up as teachers and take up their roles, giving out lectures and teaching the students of primary level. By doing so, the students get a hands-on experience and realize how it feels to be a teacher. In some schools feasts are arranged and in some reunions are organized between the old students and teachers. People call up their childhood teachers and let them know that they are still remembered, giving them immense happiness and appreciating them for all that they did for them.

            Most students offer gifts like greeting cards, flowers, chocolates, pens, show pieces, books, etc. to their teachers on this special occasion. A gift reflects the love and respect for the teachers by their students. Each one of us has been a student at some point of our lives, therefore Teachers' Day should be celebrated by all of us and not just the teachers and students alone.

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